Watson to roll arm over in India as Ashes loom

Shane Watson will make an earlier-than-expected return to the bowling crease, for the Rajasthan Royals.

Watson's motive for bowling in the Indian Premier League is to resume his all-round role for Australia at the Champions Trophy in June which, he hopes, will be a launching pad for the Ashes.

But the decision is sure to raise eyebrows among Watson's critics as he didn't bowl in the disastrous 4-0 Test series defeat in India, and performed poorly as a specialist batsman.

Watson had initially gained permission from his IPL franchise to miss the first couple of weeks of the tournament to be with his wife, Lee, and newborn son, Will.

But because of Will's early arrival he has decided to fly to India this weekend, and should miss only two games. He is expected to build up his bowling in the nets before making his medium-pacers available.

After the India series, in which he averaged 16.5, Watson admitted he risked being dropped unless he improved his batting, and spoke of his desire to bowl again.

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''One thing I have realised is how much I do miss bowling, and it has been a plan over the last two or three months to get my body to a position where I can get back into bowling again, and hopefully hold together for the cricket we have coming up,'' he said. ''There is no doubt coming here as a specialist batsman has not worked out anywhere near where I wanted it to.''

Watson's standing with the selectors became clear last week when chairman of selectors John Inverarity would not guarantee his spot as either vice-captain or batsman for the Ashes tour.

His place in the Champions Trophy squad is not in doubt; he averages 42 in one-dayers. But for the past two years he has been unable to transfer that form into the Test arena, or has broken down before he has had the chance.

The final Champions Trophy will be held in June, and while Watson might be better served playing first-class games to prepare for the Ashes, the limited-overs tournament clashes with Australia A's tour of England. All three squads - Champions Trophy, Australia A and Ashes - will be announced in coming weeks.